It is a mark of Dele Alli’s potential and blossoming self-belief that a dominant performance against the world champions in their home stadium may only prove to be the stepping stone to greater things rather than a case of too much, too young for the England midfielder.

At 19, and still to complete a full Premier League season, the Tottenham youngster walked off the Olympiastadion pitch on Saturday evening with the praise of Lothar Matthaus ringing in his ears after inspiring England to a remarkable 3-2 victory against Germany, having trailed 2-0 with half an hour to play.

Against a midfield of World Cup winners, stellar names such as Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Marco Reus, Alli dominated with his tenacity and drive, challenging his more experience team-mates into greater efforts before, admittedly, spurning the chance to cap a hugely encouraging display by missing a clear opportunity to score in the closing stages.

But after being compared to Bryan Robson ahead of the game by England manager Roy Hodgson, Alli emerged from Berlin as a player in his own right, winning just his fifth cap, with optimism going into Euro 2016 now escalating because of the Spurs midfielder who appears to combine the edge of Robson with Steven Gerrard’s energy and vision and Paul Scholes’s mean streak.

But for Hodgson, watching Alli dominate the stage against Germany was no surprise.

“He was the same against France (in November) as well,” Hodgson said. “His performance in that game was man of the match.

“But if anything has really pleased me here, he was able to come out and do the same again in more difficult circumstances because you could argue that France at home is a little bit less daunting than Germany away.

Germany vs England player ratings

1/22

Germany: Manuel Neuer – 6 out of 10

Strong save from Alli to push the ball away from the advancing attackers. Given little to do in the first half, but called upon to deny Alli with an outstretched foot.

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2/22

Emre Can – 6

Booked for a cynical foul on Danny Welbeck as he tripped the England forward when nearing the area. Found himself deployed at right-back despite impressing for Liverpool in midfield, and his error allowed Welbeck to dispossess him and led to an England shot at goal.

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3/22

Antonio Rüdiger – 5

Struggled to cope with the England attack once his partner in crime has departed, which demonstrates the dependency that the German defence currently has on Mats Hummels.

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4/22

Mats Hummels – 6

Should have seen yellow for a high tackle around Welbeck’s neck, but instructed Rüdiger where to position himself. Edged the battle with Kane, but went off at half-time with the yong Jonathan Tah coming on in his place.

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5/22

Jonas Hector – 6

Crucial block prevented Henderson from having a clear shot on target after Can’s error.

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6/22

Sami Khedira – 6

Shocking pass almost allowed Alli to score following good work from Welbeck, but that didn’t stop him from dropping back to pick up the first ball from Neuer every time. Lovely chip allowed Gomez to head home for Germany’s second.

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7/22

Toni Kroos – 7

Intelligently spotted Butland in trouble and capitalised with a long-range effort that beat the goalkeeper at his near post. Passing was near-faultless, although one sloppy long-ball gave England the chance to counter.

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8/22

Thomas Muller – 6

Rather quiet throughout, which may have been due to his deeper role to accommodate Gomez.

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9/22

Mesut Özil – 5

Took up an advanced role in midfield but couldn’t have the impact he wanted as Dier marshalled him to perfection.

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10/22

Marco Reus -5

Kept at bay by an energetic English defence, with his pace not having an effect on matters.

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11/22

Mario Gomez – 7

Should have been celebrating the opener had the assistant referee not incorrectly flagged for offside, but got his goal after the break when he lost Cahill and powered a header past Forster.

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12/22

England: Jack Butland – 5

At fault for the opening goal when he tried to play on despite being injured. Decision cost his team, and would have normally expected to have saved Kroos’ effort. Could do nothing to stop Gomez’s effort, which was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Replaced by Fraser Forster after conceding the goal.

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13/22

Nathaniel Clyne – 8

Good block prevented Khedira having an early effort on goal. Flourished going forwards after the introduction of Lukas Podolski, and it was his cross that was expertly flicked in by Jamie Vardy to equalise. Performance keeps him ahead of Kyle Walker in the pecking order.

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14/22

Chris Smalling – 7

Recovered well after making a mistake that nearly allowed Gomez in shortly after half-time. Looked assured on the ball and benefitted from facing Gomez rather than livewire Muller.

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15/22

Gary Cahill – 6

Missed the target with a free header from a corner, and was at fault for losing Gomez for the second goal and barely jumping off the ground as the ball floated over his head. Didn’t do a lot to suggest he’ll keep John Stones out of the side for too much longer.

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16/22

Danny Rose – 7

Cross that led to Gomez’s goal came from his flank, but he didn’t receive as much cover from Welbeck as he would have liked. Coped very well on his international debut.

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17/22

Eric Dier – 8

Important block denied Gomez an effort from the edge of the area that arose from a German counter-attack. His first international goal will be one that remains in the memory bank for the rest of his life.

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18/22

Jordan Henderson – 6

Dangerous corner caused panic in the area and led to Kane’s goal. Looked disciplined and in control of the midfield trio, choosing when to surge forwards and when to sit back and join Dier.

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19/22

Dele Alli – 7

Denied by Neuer’s foot when the chance to equalise offered itself on a plate. Looked composed and of the level required to make the grade at international level. Guilty of blazing a simple chance to put England ahead over the crossbar with the goal gaping at his mercy.

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20/22

Adam Lallana – 6

Sliced an effort over the crossbar when the ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box. Looked lively, although he didn’t have a big say on matters.

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21/22

Danny Welbeck – 5

Looked slightly off the pace compared to strike-partner Kane, though given this was his first England appearance in almost a year to the day, he can be forgiven. Replaced by Jamie Vardy with 20 minutes remaining.

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22/22

Harry Kane – 8

Starved of clear-cut chances in the first half as England failed to find the final product, but showed his talent with a Cruyff-turn inside the German area and hit the ball from under his feet beyond Neuer’s reach into the side of the goal to drag England back into the contest.

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“At the moment, all you can see with Dele Alli is a very, very bright future. It’s up to him, and his club and he has to make certain that he doesn’t think that I am the complete and finished article.

“You can’t be the complete and finished article at 19 years of age, not if we are talking about winning tournaments, or doing well in major tournaments, you need more need experience and a few more games behind you.

“I’m not trying to detract at all from his performance. The TV people told me Lothar Matthaus said he was the best player on the pitch. That’s some praise indeed.”

Alli’s contribution, allied with that of Spurs team-mates Eric Dier, Danny Rose and Harry Kane, propelled England to a victory which saw them overturn a 2-0 deficit to win for the first time in over 40 years.

Hodgson’s team played with verve and tempo and a refusal to be fazed when Germany built a two-goal lead following goals either side of half-time from Reus and Mario Gomez – the first goal signalling the end of the night for goalkeeper Jack Butland, who suffered an ankle injury.

But the fightback was impressive and a clear warning to the Euro 2016 favourites that England now have a team of young players with the courage to take on a challenge, displaying the fearlessness Hodgson has demanded.

And when Dier’s stoppage time header completed a 3-2 win following earlier goals from Kane and Jamie Vardy, it prompted Hodgson to insist that this was a result which will resonate.

“I think you can take store from this,” Hodgson said. “If you are able to go out here and deliver, then you can’t dismiss it as a one off.

“I would be disappointed if people dismiss it and say Germany were not up for it because we were very close to their bench their players and they found it difficult to deal with our pressing in the first half. That gives us encouragement. We want keep going like that with this team.”